Hibiscus plant named `Raspberry Breeze`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plant named `Raspberry Breeze`, characterized by its dark green leaves; upright and outwardly spreading, uniform and symmetrical plant habit that is appropriate for container production; floriferousness with numerous large and rounded dark cherry red-colored flowers with dark purple throats; good resistance to flower bud abscission; and excellent postproduction longevity.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus, botanically known as Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name `Raspberry Breeze`.

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor in Alva, Fla. The objective of the breeding program is to create new Hibiscus cultivars having uniform and compact plant habits appropriate for container production, early and uniform flowering, numerous flowers per lateral branch, desirable flower color, resistance to flower bud abscission, and good postproduction longevity.

The new cultivar originated from a cross made by the inventor in Alva, Fla., of a proprietary Hibiscus rosa-sinensis selection, designated as code number 602, as the female, or seed, parent with the Hibiscus rosa-sinensis cultivar Vista (disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,608) as the male, or pollen, parent. The cultivar `Raspberry Breeze` was discovered and selected by the inventor as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled invironment in Alva, Fla., on Jul. 7, 1994.

Compared to plants of the female parent, the proprietary Hibiscus selection code number 602, plants of the new Hibiscus are more compact, have larger leaves and differ in flower color. Plants of the new Hibiscus have a darker flower color, more uniform plant habit and better flower substance than plants of the male parent, the cultivar `Vista`.

Asexual re production of the new cultivar by terminal cuttings taken in a controlled environment in Alva, Fla., has shown that the unique features of this new Hibiscus are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

The cultivar `Raspberry Breeze` has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, nutrition and water status without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of `Raspberry Breeze`. These characteristics in combination distinguish `Raspberry Breeze` as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Dark green leaves.

2. Upright and outwardly spreading, uniform and symmetrical plant habit that is appropriate for container production.

3. Very freely flowering, numerous large and rounded dark cherry red-colored flowers with dark purple throats.

4. Good resistance to flower bud abscission.

5. Excellent postproduction longevity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new cultivar, showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.

The photograph at the top of the sheet comprises a side perspective view of typical plant of `Raspberry Breeze`.

The photograph at the bottom of the sheet comprises a close-up view of a typical flower of `Raspberry Breeze`.

Flower and foliage colors in the photographs may appear different from the actual colors due to light reflectance.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following observations, measurements and values describe plants grown in Alva, Fla., and Keller, Tex., in 28-cm containers during the summer and early autumn with day temperatures ranging from 16 to 35° C. and night temperatures ranging from 10 to 24° C. In the description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

Botanical classification: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis cultivar `Raspberry Breeze`.

Parentage:

Female or seed parent.--Hibiscus rosa-sinensis proprietary selection designated as code number 602.

Male or pollen parent.--Hibiscus rosa-sinensis cultivar `Vista`, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,608.

Propagation:

Type.--By terminal cuttings.

Time to initiate roots.--About 10 days at temperatures of 24° C.

Time to develop roots.--About 28 days at temperatures of 24° C.

Rooting habit.--Moderately vigorous, thick and well-branched.

Plant description:

Plant form and growth habit.--Perennial, evergreen, upright and outwardly spreading, inverted triangle, uniform and symmetrical plant habit. Moderate vigor.

Branching habit.--Freely branching, usually about six lateral branches develop after removal of terminal apex.

Plant height, soil level to top of flowers.--About 35 cm.

Plant diameter, area of spread.--About 60 cm.

Lateral branch description.--Length: About 28 cm. Diameter: About 9 mm. Texture: Immature, smooth; woody with age.

Color.--Immature: greenish brown. Mature: Grayish green.

Foliage description:

Arrangement.--Alternate, single.

Length.--About 9.5 cm.

Width.--About 8 cm.

Shape.--Ovate to cordate.

Apex.--Acute to acuminate.

Base.--Cordate to obtuse.

Margin.--Crenate.

Texture.--Glabrous and glossy on both surfaces.

Color.--Young foliage, upper surface: Brighter and greener than 147A. Young foliage, lower surface: 146A. Mature foliage, upper surface: 147A. Mature foliage, lower surface: Darker than 147B.

Petiole.--Length: About 3.5 cm. Diameter: About 3.5 mm. Texture: Smooth or with very fine pubescence on upper surface. Color: Greenish brown.

Flower description:

Natural flowering season.--Usually spring and summer or during periods of warm weather.

Flower arrangement.--Flowers arranged singly at terminal leaf axils. Very freely flowering with usually five to six flower buds and/or open flowers per terminal apex. Flowers flat and face upright or outward.

Flower appearance.--Large, rounded star-shaped single. Dark cherry red-colored petals with dark purple throat. Flowers are open for about one day before closing. Flowers self-cleaning.

Flower diameter.--About 14 cm.

Flower bud (just before showing color).--Rate of opening: About one day depending on temperatures. Length: About 2 cm. Diameter: About 1 cm. Shape: Columnar, oblong.

Petals.--Texture: Crepe, ruffled. Arrangement: Corolla consists of five petals that overlap. Shape: Broadly spatulate with rounded apex. Margin: Entire, but ruffled. Length: About 7.5 cm. Width: About 7.5 cm. Color: Opening: Close to 53B. Upper surface: Close to 53B/53C. Lower surface: 53C/53D. Yellowish, 11C, at right edges of petals. Throat: Dark purple, shiny, 59A.

Sepals.--Appearance: Six sepals fused into a star-shaped calyx. Shape: Linear. Texture: Smooth. Color, outer surface: 144A.

Peduncles.--Length: About 4 cm. Diameter: About 3.5 mm at apex. Angle: Upright. Strength: Strong, rigid. Color: 146A.

Reproductive organs.--Androecium: Stamen number: Numerous. Stamen length: About 7 mm. Anther shape: Globular. Anther size: About 1.5 mm. Amount of pollen: Abundant. Pollen color: 21A. Gynoecium: Pistil length: About 7.5 cm. Style color: Apex: 51B. Base: 46A to 47A. Stigma number: Five. Stigma shape: Round. Stigma diameter: About 3 mm. Stigma color: 46A. Ovary color: Light green, 150C.

Disease resistance: No known Hibiscus diseases observed to date on plants grown under commercial greenhouse conditions.

Seed production: If cross-pollinated, seed production may be observed. Usually one to twenty seeds per capsule. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Hibiscus plant named `Raspberry Breeze`, as 